Hurricanes come out strong, cruise into semifinals

MALVERN—Earning the top seed in a district tournament can be a mixedblessing. Obviously, it’s the reward for having a great regularseason, but getting the bye that comes with it could lead to comingout flat after an extended break from the playing field.

That didn’t happen to the Villa Maria field hockey team.

The Hurricanes had very nearly put the game out of reach before evenseven minutes had gone by, racking up four goals in that span beforecruising to a 6-0 victory over No. 8 Christopher Dock Thursdayafternoon at Villa.

“After sitting out because of the bye, we knew we had to come outstrong,” said the Hurricanes’ Megan Parsons. “We had to set the tonein the first district game.”

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Parsons, who notched a pair of goals on the day, was the firstHurricane to find the back of the cage. Awarded a penalty corner,Parsons inbounded the ball, then took her position on the pads.Meghan Murphy took the ball at the top of the circle, then rifled onetowards the cage. Pioneer goalie Marsissa Souder got a foot on it,but Parsons tapped the rebound in for the score.

Villa just kept piling it on from there. Less than a minute later,Olivia Bolles earned the assist on a goal from Amelia Iacobucci.Parsons put one in in a crowd for her second goal of the day shortlyafter that. Then with just under 23minutes to play, it was 4-0 afterKatie Mooney pushed one in for a score.

“We all really connected well,” said Parsons. “We worked really wellas a unit. I think we’re all really pleased we came out as quick aswe did. Those first few minutes set the tone for the game.”

The Hurricanes had reached the eventual final score by halftime.Before the first 30minutes had passed, Iacobucci had scored hersecond goal of the game, and Caroline MacKrides tacked on the sixthgoal of the game with three minutes to play in the half. Six goals,four different scorers.

“Even when I’ve had players who could carry a team, I’ve never coachedto a superstar,” said Villa coach Maurene Polley. “I’ve alwayspreached a team game. I want everyone to have a chance to contribute,and everyone to feel like they are playing an important role on theteam.”

With that kind of offensive display, playing defense is pretty easy.

“When you get out on front as quickly as we did, it does take somepressure off,” said Villa defender Maura Zarkoski. “You can just bemore calm and just play our game, and not get caught up too much inwhat the other team is trying to do.”

The Hurricanes played every bit as well on the rare occasionChristopher Dock crossed midfield and to the scoring circle on itsoffensive end. The Pioneers managed just two shots on goal the wholegame, one in each half, and forced just a single corner all day. Andthat didn’t occur until six minutes into the second half.

“We just communicated well and did a great job replacing each other,”said Zarkoski. “If someone would get beat, there was always someonestepping up to replace. We had a good system going.”

With the win, the top-seeded Hurricanes advance to Tuesday’ssemifinal game against the winner of No. 5 Gwynedd Mercy and No. 4Phoenixville, with a spot in the PIAA playoffs on the line at a site to be determined.

“I’m proud of the way they came out and took charge of the game,” saidPolley. “It was all the result of good passing. Definitely came outand did what we needed to to start districts.”